<bt>With a mysterious twist of comedy, suspense, melodrama, and confusion, the cast of W.T. Woodson’s production of John Bishop’s “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” had the audience riveted.
This classic murder mystery revolves around ten characters that become trapped inside a house together. Not only are they trapped, but they must cope with a lack of telephone service, sporadic power outages, and even the occasional murder! As the plot unfolds and secrets are revealed, the audience finds itself captivated, curious, and indecisive as every character in the show seems to be a likely suspect.
There was no individual weak link amongst the performers. Each actor made his or her part different from all the rest and showed a remarkable understanding of his or her character.
As Eddie McCuen, a struggling comedian, David Lawson was an obvious favorite. Lawson’s quirky characteristics and well-delivered punch lines kept the audience laughing even in the most intense scenes. One of the best scenes in the show was between Eddie McCuen and Nikki Crandall, adorably portrayed by Anna Czaplicki. They discussed chemistry and romance in such an innocent and awkward fashion that the audience immediately fell in love with the silly yet endearing duo.
Another favorite, Peter André, had excellent stage presence and amazing energy throughout the show. His strange body movements, goofy facial expressions, and consistent German accent kept the audience in hysterics. Also, Leah Marie Zeller as Marjorie Baverstock displayed amazing comfort and energy onstage, amazing control, excellent character development, and a superb speaking voice.
The technical work for this production was also very good. The intricate set, designed by Daniel Fisher and decorated by David Maley received applause and gasps from the audience when the curtain opened. Every detail was perfect and accurately portrayed a Victorian home. The set even included eerie secret doorways that always opened and closed right on cue.
The sound was also commendable. The microphones worked well and the actors could be heard throughout the production. Also, the cues for the radio to turn on or off ran smoothly and without a hitch.
The lighting cues were also flawless. The timing for each blackout was perfect. Dim lighting in some parts of the show created an appropriately spooky mood.
With a great cast, a wonderful set, flawless technical work, and a surprise ending, W.T. Woodson’s “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” was a huge success.